Erin McDermott performs Saturday at the Purple Onion

Published: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 1:57 p.m.

Following the Grateful Dead introduced Erin McDermott to bluegrass music and shaped her own musicianship.

For a while, McDermott traveled with the legendary group, going to more than 50 shows.

"I was into the Grateful Dead for a long time, and through the Grateful Dead, I started listening to bluegrass music because it was their roots," she said. "My sound is geared more toward Americana music but I use bluegrass instrumentation."

McDermott, who moved from Vermont to Nashville, Tenn., recently, will play her first show at Saluda's The Purple Onion this weekend. She plays at 8 p.m. Saturday with her four-piece band.

McDermott was backed up by a solid group of pickers on her last album, 2009's "Time to Go."

Through her producer, she was paired with former Grammy Award-winners Tim O'Brien, Asheville guitarist Bryan Sutton and fiddler Stuart Duncan.

"I'd never heard my music sound the way they made it sound," McDermott said. "When you get around people who are that talented, it's always a real treat and an eye opener."

Her touring band is solid, too, as she's backed by bassist Jeremy Darrow, fiddle player Tyler Andal, mandolin player Sterling Abernathy and banjo player Justin Hiltner. Andal, Abernaghy and Hiltner are all younger than 24.

Being a part of the Nashville music scene has changed certain aspects of McDermott's music.

"I feel like I've been open to more things," she said. "I used to write in a story narrative. I feel lately I've been writing about personal situations instead of making characters."

She always sees other musicians, too, and knows she has to keep learning and working to keep up.

"Anytime you go anywhere, to a party, there are always people better than you," she said. "You're always learning. Going to a show, a pot luck, there's always people playing new things. I think that's the key to Nashville, you have to be learning, because everyone else is also learning."

Her tour schedule is slow in the coming months as McDermott will work on songwriting and prepare to head back into the studio in the spring.

<p>Following the Grateful Dead introduced Erin McDermott to bluegrass music and shaped her own musicianship.</p><p>For a while, McDermott traveled with the legendary group, going to more than 50 shows. </p><p>"I was into the Grateful Dead for a long time, and through the Grateful Dead, I started listening to bluegrass music because it was their roots," she said. "My sound is geared more toward Americana music but I use bluegrass instrumentation."</p><p>McDermott, who moved from Vermont to Nashville, Tenn., recently, will play her first show at Saluda's The Purple Onion this weekend. She plays at 8 p.m. Saturday with her four-piece band.</p><p>McDermott was backed up by a solid group of pickers on her last album, 2009's "Time to Go." </p><p>Through her producer, she was paired with former Grammy Award-winners Tim O'Brien, Asheville guitarist Bryan Sutton and fiddler Stuart Duncan.</p><p>"I'd never heard my music sound the way they made it sound," McDermott said. "When you get around people who are that talented, it's always a real treat and an eye opener."</p><p>Her touring band is solid, too, as she's backed by bassist Jeremy Darrow, fiddle player Tyler Andal, mandolin player Sterling Abernathy and banjo player Justin Hiltner. Andal, Abernaghy and Hiltner are all younger than 24.</p><p>Being a part of the Nashville music scene has changed certain aspects of McDermott's music. </p><p>"I feel like I've been open to more things," she said. "I used to write in a story narrative. I feel lately I've been writing about personal situations instead of making characters."</p><p>She always sees other musicians, too, and knows she has to keep learning and working to keep up.</p><p>"Anytime you go anywhere, to a party, there are always people better than you," she said. "You're always learning. Going to a show, a pot luck, there's always people playing new things. I think that's the key to Nashville, you have to be learning, because everyone else is also learning."</p><p>Her tour schedule is slow in the coming months as McDermott will work on songwriting and prepare to head back into the studio in the spring.</p>